After all, even if the reporters present didn’t want to show Nicole any regard, they had to respect the Gardner Corporation and F&M Apparel, so they didn’t expect someone to ask such a direct question.
However, they didn’t stop it either. They weren’t the ones who asked the question anyway. When the breaking news was revealed, they could take advantage of the free publicity too.
Even though such a direct question had been thrown Nicole’s way, the smile on her face never ceased. She crossed her hands in front of the table, then swept her gaze over the crowd. Sure enough, she saw Queenie in a corner.
After thinking about it, she reckoned that only this idiot could perform such a brainless thing.
Nicole spoke up, not denying the claim. “It’s true that the Gardner Corporation had never had any designs leaked before. Similarly, F&M Apparel had never encountered this problem either, so this only shows that someone is targeting the cooperation between the Gardner Corporation and F&M Apparel!”
After Nicole answered the question, there was an uproar among the audience, followed by questions from the reporters.
“Miss Lisa, are you saying that someone is specifically targeting the cooperation between both companies?”
“Miss Lisa, did you unintentionally admit that the leaked designs are indeed the new summer line that the Gardner Corporation is going to launch?”
Nicole simply smiled, but didn’t answer. When the organizing team noticed that it was getting a little out of control, the host hurriedly stepped forward to mediate the situation. “If anyone has any questions, please take turns asking them.”
Seeing that the audience had slightly calmed down, Nicole picked up the microphone and gave a brief explanation.
“Back then, I met an acquaintance in the Gardner Corporation. He was someone I got to know during my school days. After we had a few conversations, he came to my office time and time again. Not long after, some of my scrapped designs was leaked onto the Internet, and it was claimed to be the Gardner Corporation’s new product.”
Nicole had a small smile on her face, and although she spoke in a gentle manner, there was a sense of dignity about her.
“I installed surveillance cameras in my office and have confirmed that he stole them. Although the leaked designs aren’t the Gardner Corporation’s new products, this is very shameful behavior. The Gardner Corporation and F&M Apparel will work together to investigate the matter.”
Nicole was speaking in neither a humble nor overbearing manner. Joanna already knew the truth beforehand, so she wasn’t surprised.
But, that wasn’t the case for Queenie. Originally, she thought that even if she couldn’t bring down Nicole this time, she could at least defame her. She didn’t expect that Nicole would so easily resolve the things she had worked so hard to plan.
She looked up at the stage, and Nicole happened to look over too. There was a hint of amusement in her eyes, as if she was mocking her!
Queenie’s heart squeezed as she clenched her fists. Why is this happening? Why is it that Nicole manages to head off a danger every time?!
Dissatisfied, she bit her lip. She thought that she could witness Nicole making a fool of herself at this press conference, but she didn’t expect that not only was Nicole not be humiliated, she even pissed her off.
Queenie’s eyes turned red, and she wasn’t interested in listening anymore, so she turned and left.
When Nicole saw Queenie leaving, a smile played on her lips as she carried on talking to the reporters.
“I hope everyone can focus on the excellent designs and not on these irrelevant behaviors. This summer line will definitely dazzle everyone. Thank you.”
After Nicole finished talking, Joanna and Colton were the next to speak, and they more or less made the standard remarks before ending the new product launch event.
After Queenie came out, she immediately took out her phone and made a call.
“When the news of the Gardner Corporation’s launch event is released, leak the plagiarism news immediately.” She gritted her teeth, gripping the phone so tightly that her knuckles had begun to turn white.
Of course she never expected the leaked design draft to cause Nicole’s downfall; she just wanted to use this chance to make Colton lose trust in Nicole.
Unexpectedly, she had wasted so much effort only for Nicole to gain an advantage, and it even made the new product launch even more successful.
Queenie’s entire body was trembling a little, and she said viciously to the person on the other end of the line, “No matter how much money it costs, we must make this incident as big of an issue as possible!”
After Queenie hung up the phone, a smile finally appeared on her face.
This time, she wasn’t the one defaming Nicole. Instead, Nicole shot herself in the foot because the outfit she had given Wendy turned out to be a plagiarized product!
She even copied the design of a major design competition’s champion from a few years back. Although the winner had participated anonymously, they would certainly be angry if they saw that their design had been plagiarized, and that it went viral.
Now, she must quickly find the anonymous person who won the first place. If she could find them and get them to sue Nicole, perhaps she could have Nicole imprisoned for a few years.
At this thought, Queenie felt much happier, and a trace of viciousness flashed across her eyes. Nicole, I’d like to see how you’re going to fight back this time!
After the new product launch event, Joanna had a sour look on her face, but because Colton was still around, she didn’t show it.
Standing next to Nicole, Colton turned to look at her, a hint of a smile in his eyes.
“This launch is more successful than any other launch event Gardner Apparel has ever organized over the years. It’s no wonder you’re the Chief Designer.”
Nicole smiled modestly, not taking credit for herself.
“No. This is all thanks to the person who wanted to humiliate me. It just so happened that this time, it didn’t take any effort for it to become a hot topic.”
Joanna couldn’t say a single word while standing next to her. Although she wasn’t involved in the matter, she more or less knew about it.
She didn’t expect that Queenie was so useless that she fell into the trap that Nicole had designed.
Colton nodded. When they talked about the perpetrator, his smile disappeared, and his voice became a little colder.
“Don’t worry. I’ll definitely give you an explanation for this matter.”
Nicole shook her head and looked ahead. “President Gardner, can you please not pursue this matter?”
Surprised, Colton turned to look at Nicole, then raised his voice in confusion. “What?”
Nicole lowered her gaze and explained in a low voice, “The Gardner Corporation and F&M Apparel have nothing to lose from this matter.”
Nicole pursed her lips and peered at Colton. “After all, I owed him in the past. We’ll treat it as me paying him back.”
Colton was silent for a while, but he eventually agreed. Nicole wasn’t sure if it was just her imagination, but she had the feeling that Colton was a little upset.
The new product launch event was a great success. Coupled with the previously leaked designs, they had long become a hot topic on the Internet. As soon as news of the launch event was released, their popularity was on a constant rise.
However, apart from the news of the product launch event, there was also the plagiarism appraisal report.
In the report, a design from many years ago was placed together with the dress Nicole had designed for Wendy, and they were found to be strikingly similar.
Moreover, authorities had certified the plagiarism in the report.
Riding on all the previous buzz, the plagiarism news instantly took the Internet by storm.
Many designers came forward to accuse Nicole of plagiarism after taking a look at the two designs.
Not only Nicole was implicated for the matter of plagiarism, but so was Wendy, who wore that dress.
In the president’s office of the Gardner Corporation. “Miss Gardner, Miss Gardner, President Gardner is still busy inside. You can’t go in.” Tony stepped forward to stop Wendy, but her aggressiveness made her unstoppable.
When Wendy opened the door, she saw Colton behind the desk at once. Gritting her teeth, she spoke with tears glistening in her eyes. “Colton!”
Colton frowned slightly. He reached out to rub the corners of his eyes, then said a little coldly, “Didn’t I say that you have to knock before coming in? Where are your manners?”
Wendy couldn’t care less about it. With two pieces of paper in her hand, she stalked toward Colton’s desk.
She spread the papers in front of Colton, looking wronged. “Colton, look at these two designs.”
Colton looked down. One was the dress Nicole had designed for Wendy’s graduation, and the other was one he had never seen before.
More Kickass Romance Reads
Dive into irresistible romance stories packed with possessive heroes, forbidden passion, billionaire obsession, mafia intrigue, and heart-stopping twists. One chapter is never enough—your next addiction starts here.